Laymoon Cafe

The Laymoon Cafe menu (see below) combines Middle Eastern coffee traditions with modern espresso drinks in Mesa. Expect Arabic coffee alongside cortados, cappuccinos, and specialty lattes. This new spot opened last weekend and the menu alone makes it worth checking out. But what really caught my attention was the equipment behind the counter. They installed a beautiful La Marzocco Strada as their centerpiece machine. Most new cafes would never invest in something like that. The choice tells you they are serious about quality from day one. I am impressed.

The space itself feels warm and inviting. Rugs everywhere. On the floor and hanging from the ceiling. It creates this cozy atmosphere that does not feel like typical Tempe minimalism. You walk in and immediately notice the texture and warmth.

I visited during opening weekend. The lines were absolutely massive. I waited longer than I wanted to. But once the initial hype dies down, this will be much easier to visit. I will definitely go back to try more of their menu.
I ordered the Upside Down Strawberry matcha. It was one of the best matcha drinks I have had. The layering was beautiful and the flavor profile actually delivered on what the visual promised. Not too sweet. Good balance.
The menu leans Middle Eastern and Mediterranean with some interesting twists. Espresso drinks cover the classics (americano, cortado, cappuccino, latte, nitro, cold brew). Specialty lattes include Spanish, Tiramisu, and Cardamom Rose. The matcha options go beyond standard preparations (Golden Cloud Spanish, Upside Down Strawberry). Refreshers include Strawberry Acai, Laymoon and Mint, and Lime Cooler.
Pastries are impressive. Chocolate croissant, chocolate pistachio croissant, banana chai muffin, cardamom cinnamon bun. The cookies include pistachio white chocolate and salted chocolate chip tahini. They serve baklava by the slice and biscoff banana pudding. Bagels come plain or zaatar (both with cream cheese). Breakfast options lean toward toast variations. Spiced zaatar avocado toast, classic caprese avocado toast, strawberries and chocolate toast, labne and honey toast. These are not your standard cafe breakfast items.

Laymoon sources their coffee from the acclaimed local roaster Press Coffee which I also reviewed on this webstie. That partnership makes sense. Press knows what they are doing and Laymoon is executing it on elite equipment.

Parking is a problem. I did not see any free parking around the shop. I parked in a near by ASU garage and paid $4 for one hour. There were metered spots on the street but nothing was available. Plan accordingly.
Laymoon Cafe is betting big on quality equipment, thoughtful menu design, and a warm inviting space. Opening weekend was chaotic but the Upside Down Strawberry matcha alone is worth a return visit. This place has potential to become a Tempe staple if they can maintain quality as the hype settles.

Discover other favorites locals love:

Aden Coffee House - A fantastic spot just a few miles away with an incredible menu.
Levante Coffee - Check out their extensive specialty espresso and matcha drinks.
Indigo Room Coffee - Sip your espresso from beans roasted by WeBe and made by a coffee shop in a vintage antique store.
Firefly Organic Coffee Market - Highly recommended if you are looking for locally sourced and organic everything option.

Check out other fantastic Tempe Coffee Shops or late night coffee shops page.